Signal device



J. E. SUMPTER.

SIGNAL DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED DC-2|. l9|7.

1,433,311. Pimm oct. 1922.

3 SHEETS- T 2.

.|. E. SUMPTER.

SIGNAL DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED 050.21. I9I7.

Patented Oct. 24. 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

III f Patented Oct. 24, 1922,

' UNITED STATES s JOHN E. SUMPTER, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

SIGNAL DEVICE.

Application filed December 21, 1917. Serial No. 208,260.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN E. SUMPTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented a new and useful lImprovement in Signal Devices, of lwhich the following is a specification.

' My invention relates to signal devices the primary object of which is in providing an electrically operated signal device which is released into signalling position or raised out of signalling position by means of ay single electro-magnet which is connected to a source of electrical energy and operated by a single circuit closing switch or push button.

A further object is in providing a signal arm with a signal light which is turned on automatically when the arm is released into signalling position.` V

It is also an object in providing a device which is of extremely simple construction composed of a small number of parts and peculiar features of construction which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this speciication: .c

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the signalling devicepartly broken away and having half of the enclosing casing removed.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the signalling device with half of the casing removed and the signal arm shown in signailing position also illustrating diagrammatically part of the electric wiring.

y Figure 3 is a plan view of the device part of which is illustrated in cross section.

Figure 4 is a section vonthe line 4 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective of an alternative construction of signalling device part of the electric wiring being illustrated in vdiagrammatic forni.

Figures 6, 7 8 and 9 illustrate position of the signalling device of the alternative construction illustrated in Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a side elevation of an alternative form of the signalling device partly broken away having one-half of the enclosing casing removed and illustrating the electric wiring in diagrammatic form.

Figure 11 is aside elevation similar to Figure 10 illustrating the signalling arm in signalling position.

Figure 12 is a segmental section taken on theline 12-12 of Figure 11.

- In the drawing, A represents a signalling device which is so constructed as to be used primarily for automobiles, it being evident however7` that v.the signal can be used for other purposes without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The signalling device A has a signal arm 1 which has secured to its outer free end, the light casing 2. The signal light casing 2 is formed circular and of a disk shape, having large circular openings 3 on either side of the casing which are closed by glasses 4 which may be transparent, red, green or any other suitable color. The signal electric light D illustrated in Figure 2 in dottedl outline, is held in any convenient manner inside the casing 2 centrally between the glass sides 4. The openings 3 are very large, thereby leaving only a small circular shell or band like portion 5 which forms the head of the casing portion 2 and in which the glasses 4 are held.

The signal arm 1 is rigidly secured to a spider frame 6, having flat web like spokes 7, which is pivotally secured on the shaft 8. The shaft 8 is rigidly secured to and between the sides 9 and 10 of the casing 11.

. The casing 11 is formed in two halves 9 and 10, the rear portion 12 of which is cylindrical in shape and adapted to enclose or form a cover for an electro-magnetic coil B. Upper flanges y13 and lower flanges 14 are formed on thevcasing 11 and are adapted to hold the portions 9 and 10 together by means ,of the bolts 14.

The spider frame 6 is formed with a segmental circular outer iange l5 which is .adapted to lit in the groove 16 formed in the forward part 17 of the casing 11 so that the outer surface of the flange 15 will lie flush with the outer circular surface A18 of the casing which extends on either side of the flange 15. Thus the upper portion of the end 17 of the two halves 9 and 10 of the casing is formed with a slot 19 in which the frame 6 and signal arm 1 can rotate. The lower part of the portion 17 of the casing 11, is formed with a flange 2O on either of the halves 9 and 10 which is adapted to close oit the `efroove 16 against which the edge of the. :traine 6 is adapted to engage to stop the rotation of the traine and arm ina down 'wird direction.

The electro-magnetic coil B' is oi' ordinary spool construction having a core opening 22 in which anV armature 23 is'adap'ted to operate longitudinally, when the coil `is energized by an electric circuit or source or electrical energy. The armature '23 has an arm let pivotally secured to the forward 'end of the same and the arm 9A is pivotally connected to a pin 25 which operates inthe slot 26 thatis formed in thearm 24C. The pin 25 is secured in the upper spoke 7 of the frame C and eizteiids across the slot Q7 formed in the spoke 7, in which the arm 24 is adapted to freely slide. A springcatch or bolt C isy slidablysecured in the traine A6 directly adjacent the upper spoke 7. `The spring catch C is held in position by means of the spring 2./8 and is 'formed with an engaging end 29. .'.lhe lower portion of the bolt is smaller in diametei-than the upperv portion and isv adapted to carry a cylindric."i'l collar 30 on its lower end which is freely held by the saine.

A washer 31 is positionedV between the collar 3() and the spring 28 against which the spring 28 is adapted to bear and the collar is freely 'and slidably heldin the forwardly projecting portion' 32 formed on the upper spoke 7 of the frame 6. vThelower small ord ofthe bolt Q9 is formed with a transverse pin 33.

A bell crank lever 34 is pivoted at 35 to 4the lug;r 36 and the lug 36 is lormed'interral with a central or sleeve portion el' the spider traine 6. The bell crank leverB-i 'has one end '37 held slidably between the pin 33 and the `colla i lever `outerlend of the lever 24. The springcatch or bolt C is held in position so. as to engage the notch .40 in the upper portion of the `:iasing llby the spring- 28 which is adapted to'beai against the rear portion of the bolt 29 and against the washer 31 which rests on the luej or projection 32 when the parts are in the yposition illustrated in Figure 1. Thus the catch C is held into engagement with the ynotch 40 bylineans of the springr 28.

The electro-magnetic coil B is connected,r to an electrical circuit E which has a battery i* or'fany other suitable source of electrical energy. (The battery beingillust'rated in y light goes out.

.ed to the electric battery F by means of the wires 4:1 and Lil-2 and a push button or any suitable switchY 4.3 is interposed 1in 'che wires lll'v between the electro-magnetic coil lB and the battery F.

\ The electric Asignal li ,eht D is connected to the electric battery F by means of the` wires 44 andt and the wires i4 and 45 are secured to connections 4.6 and47 which are rigidly held in `the lower spoke 7 of the iframe 6. he connections 4:6 and 47 lare adapted to Contact with springtingersflf whichyare tired yto the inner portion ofthe casing 1l when the signal arm is dropped. in the position illustrated in Figure `2. Oneottheuconjnections 48 is connected lto a wire 49 which ure 2, the connections'fi `and47 will contact with the spring fingers 48 and form a com* plete circuitiior the electrical signal light D, allowing lthe light te remain lightedwhile the arm is in the signallingposition illustrated `in Figure 2,. lhen the arm l' is drawn up in the position illustrated in Figure l, the electrical connection with the battery F landthe signal light is broken and the The armatureQ is formed with a cylindrical openingl in its `rear end in which a coil spring,r 52 is positioned so fas `to bear against the head ,53 which is, formed on the vpin 54. The pin 54- passes freely through" the threaded plug 55 and is adaptedftoei'ifaire against the disk 56 which ispositioned in the rear end of the core of Vthe coil B and "is secured to the casing 1l in any suitable The pin 54 together with the j manner. spring' 52 is adapted to position the. armature 2321s will be hereinafter described. A releasingr pin 57"havinp; a `head 58 secured thereto, is positioned in the upper portion of l the casing: llin the chamber 59anda coill` spring 60 is adapted tol bear against the head 5S so as to tend to push the pin 57 outward. A threaded plug (il,ythrough which the pin 57 passes freely, is adapted to holdthe :pin

57, together with .its head 58, against disen-` gagement "l'roin the, chamber 59.` The `signzil'ling device A .is adapted tobe clampedby any suitable device, not shown, in a convenient position on anautoinobile. The *de-v vice A. `is used preferably toindieate the dii rectionsiin which the automobilist desires to turn his machine. Oneor more ot these signals can be used.` It is preferred to usev two signals, one on either side, so that one .can indicatethe turning,r in one direction and the other turning in the other direction.

When itis desired to use the signal device A, the switch' or push buttone is closed,

thereby sending electric energy into the electro-magnet and causing an inward pull on the armature 23. As the armature '23 pulls inwardly, the pin 39 which is connected to` the end of the arm 24, will engage the end 38.

of the arm 34 and pull downward on the Spring bolt or catch C releasing the same: from the notch 40, whereupon. the spring pin.

'catch 29 will engage in the notch 40.

The spring pin 54 allows the armature 23 to enter the core of the magnet B when the electrical energy is applied during the raising of the signal arm l and the spring pin 54 will automatically torce the armature 23 outward back to normal position as is 'illus-` trated 1n Figure l when the electrical energyis cut oil from .the coil B. The slot 26 allows the arm 24 to Slide on the pin 25 and the end 37 of the bell crank arm pressing upward on q the working parts of the'device A, and there.

the collar 30 against the spring 28 allowing the end 38 ot the bell crank to bel depressed so that the pin 39 can assume the position. on the other side of the end 38, as is illustrated in Figure l. Thus leaving the armature with ythe lever 24 and the pin 39 ready to release the catch 29 and the spring pin 57 depressed ready to automatically kick the arm l over center so as to again drop it into signallingv position. The signalling operation. can be repeated intermittently so as to cause the arm l to raise or lower as rapidly as may be desired. l

The casing 11 is so constructed as toencase by gives a device which is otsimple and neat appearance.

In the alternative construction,illustrated in Figures 5 to 9 inclusive7 the signalling arm l and the signal light casing 2 are of similar .construction as that-'illustrated in the preferred construction, the light D being adapted to be encased in they casing 2. The magnetic coil B is not enclosed but isheld `in the body portion 7 Oy in any suitable mannected to the electric circuit .Eby the battery wires 7 3v and 74. A switch 75 is interposed in the wire 74 between the battery v.F andthe magnet B. lThe armature 23 of position illustrated in Figure 5.

the electro-magnet B .is `connected to an arm 76, said arm 76 being pivotallyconnected by means ot the bolt 77 to the segment 78 which carries the arm l and is pivotally connected by means oit the bolt 79 tothe stationary segment 8O which is formed integral with the body portion 70. A spring catch 8l is pivotally secured at 82 to the segment 78 and is adaptedto engage the shoulder 83 formed on the segment 80, when the arm l is in upright position. y A coil spring- 84 positioned about the rod 85 is adapted to hold the catch 8l into engagement with the lua' 83.v

The upper end ot the rod 85 has a head portion 86 rigidly secured thereto and the head portion 86 is formed with slot 88 which is adapted to be pivotally and slidably connected tothe catch 8l by lmeans ot the pin The lower end o t the rod has an enlarged portion 89v formed thereon which is pivotall.Y connectedI at 99 to the cranl; arm 91. The crank arm 91A is pivota-lly connected at 92 to the segment 78 andhas an engaging end 93 which is adapted to be engaged by the pin 94 which is rigidly secured to the arm 76. Stops 95 and 96 are formed on the segment 78. The stop 95`is adapted to engage -and depress'one end ofthe pin 97 when the arm l` is in upright position as illustrated in .Figures-5 and. 8 and the stop 96 is adapted to engage the other end o't the pin 97 when the arm l is in the position illustrated in Figure 7. The arm 76 carries al spring 98 having one end secured to the 76 at 190 and the other end secured at lOl to the body 70 otV the device A, being adapted to hold the arm 76 and the yarmature v23 in the Then it is desired to operate the 'signal illustrated in the alternative construction, the switch 75 is closed and the electric energy inthe coil B will push the arm 76 outward. The pin 94 engages the crank arm9l and pulls down on the catch 8l so as to release it from the stop or catch 83 and the spring pin 97 will lriclf the stop 95 to push the arm l over the center of its pivot point and allowthe arm to drop into signalling position as is illustrated in Figure 7.

Figure 6 illustrates thefposition ot the lever'76 when the switch 75 is closed and the armature 23 puses the-lever 76 outward.

lVhen it is desired to raise tle arm l, the -switch 75 is again closed and the electric energy .ini the coil' B will pu n against the pin 77 and rotate the segment 78 on the bolt 79 to raise the arm l out of signalling position.

4 The construction illustrated in Figures l0 and l1 is practically thev saine mechanical and electrical construction as that illustrated in Figures l, and The coil is held in the easing which is formed in two halves 9 and l0 (the portion 9l only being shown). The coil B is connected to the signal arm 1 'm the same manner 'as illustrated in Figure 1 and the farm ,1 `is adapted to be released into lsignalling position in a similar manner `as the construction illustrated :in Figure 1 by the coil B. The frame 6 which carries Athe Signal arm 1 is pivotally secured to the sha'ft B in the salue manner as the construction illustrated `in Figure 1.

stop or shoulder 105 is formed on the frame 6 which projects ltorvnird troni the lower f spoke 7 of the frame 6 and is adapted to strike'the shoulder or stop 106 which is formed onthe inner portionof the casing 9 and is similar to theshoulder 21. A coil spring 107 is tixed on one end by means of y the lscrews 108 to the spoke 701 the iframe y dropped into signalling position, the bumperv 6 and `has a disk-shaped bumper 109 secured to its 'free end so that when the arm 1 is 109 will strike against ythe shoulder 106 cornpressing the spring 107 as illustrated in Figure 11. Thusthe springs107will relieve the jar len the arm 1 as `it drops into signailing position and will also tend to force the yarm up again 'toward the `position illustrated in dotted'outline in Figure 11.

The electric wiring illustrated in diagrammatic form in Figure 110 illustrates an elec-` tricbattery R connected to the coilV B by` means of Wires 110, 111 and switch 112 lso that when theswitch 112 is closed, electrical energy 'will be introduced into the` coil B 'tooperate the armature23 and release or raise the arm 1 into signalling orout of signalling position respectively, in the same` Y :manner as illustrated and described by the construction in Figures 1 and 2.

p v Brushes i118 are` rigidly secured to one side y.of vthe casing which encloses the working parts of the device A and the coil B, the brushes 113 being `positioned in the forward i part cit' the easing where the arm 1 with its frame6 is pi-voted. rlhe brushes 113 are secured to the insulatingblock 114: and the block 114 is secured by the screws 115 to the casing 10v so thatl the brushes 113 are held `insulated from eachother and from the casing..` The'brushes 113 are illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 in dotted outline. VA contacting piece-or bar 116 is rigidly secured to one side of an insulated arm 117 and the arm 117 fis. 'rigidly secured to the pinor horizontal bolt 118. The bolt 118 is rigidly secured to the inner surface off the frame 6 by means of rthe `screws 119` which Apass through the Y iunge` 120 in which the bolt 118 is rigidly secured. The arm 117 is so formed as to have its upper edge pro]ect above the upper edge of the contact bar 116 and is of the same' width as thebar 116, thus the'bar 116 is *fixed adiacentthe upper portion of the armf'117 and is insulated on one side by the arm. The lower portion ofthe arm 117 pro- `jects below'lthe pivot point or bolt 118 and is ormeduwth an opcning121 in which one A projecting end of coil springs 122 is engaged andthe other ends oi"y thesprings 122 are secured to the 'traine portion?) soithat the 'springs 122 ywill normally hold thearm 117`in-a1perpendicular position. is illustrated in 'Figure `12,` but allowing the arm 117 together with -the contact bar 116 'to swing into fthe positien 'illustrated in dotted outline7 returning the arm 117 into perpendicular position.l

The brushes 11.3 are connected to the icoil 'B and the battery R by 'means of the Wires 123 and 1241. A suitable switch 125vis i'mterposed in the Wire 123 'so that when rit is desired, the switchcan be readily closedor releasing the signal :arm 1 lintoxposition il-` lustrated in Figure 11. When'the signal arm` 1 `drops into the lposition illustratedin Figure 117 the arm 117 will be carried .fpast the brushes 113 and the army 117 will be moved into one o1" ythe 'dotted positions illustrated in Figure12, allowing the LLbrushes 113 to pass over the topmost portion yof `the `arm which projects above the contact ibar 116 and preventing any `electrical 'contact' between the bar 116 'and the brushes 113.A

The stops 105 and 106 limit the dowmvard moiiement'of `the signal arm .1 randthe compression of the spring 107.

tend to force the arm 1 away from 'the stop 106, causing 'the contact bar 1116 Tto ccn'tact with the brushes y113 fen 'the backward movement of 'the am, closingr the electrical circuit through thebattery R' and coilB and `lcaiusing the coil B fto upwardmomenturily on the 'signal arm. The

being only momentarily and not allowing 'suilicient time or energy ffor the Vc'cil B to pullthe arm'back :outv of signalling position but raising the signalling airmintoithe position illustrated in dotted 'outhne 'in vFigure 11, whereupon the `brushesll?) rdis- `connect ffromnthe contact bar 116 and ithe circuit is broken and 'the arm "will again drop by gravity back to the position illustrated in full lines in Figure 11. Thespring 107 will iorcelthe Contact bar 1416 against the :brushes 1153 again, thereby .repeating the operation of `the coil'in pulling thesignal arm upward. y

In the operation of the construction il- `lustrated in Figures "10 and 11, the signal arm can be `oscillated up -and down after .it is dropped vinto signalling positivem,l it

`contact of the brushes 113 onthe bar 1216 being obvious that the arm will oscillate up and down until the switch 112 is closed long enough to allow the armature 23 of the coil B to pull the signal arml up out ot signalling position, as illustrated in Figure 10. Should it be desired not to have the arm reciprocate up and down after it has dropped into signalling position, the switch 125 could be lett open and the signal 1 operated only by the switch 112, the signal arm and device A operating in the same manner as described in the construction illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. By means of the construction illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, the signal arm is operated so as to reciprocate automatically up and down after it has been dropped into signalling position by means of the switch 112, it vbeing evident that it is necessary to close the switch 112 only momentarily when dropping the arm into signalling position but to hold the switch 112 closed long enough to allow the coil B to raise the arm when it is desired to raise the arm out ont signalling position. The coil spring 107 causing the arm to rebound sufficiently to cause the brushes 113 to contact with the contact bar 116. This contact is only momentarily so that the coil B does not obtain suilicient energy to raise the arm out of signalling position but tends to jerk the arm up as tar as the osition illustrated in dotted outline in ligure 11, whereupon the arm again drops into its lower most position. rlhis reciprocating continues automatically until the switch 112 is again closed long enough to allow the armature 23 and coil B to raise the arm 1 out of signalling position. It is obvious that the construction illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12 is not materially diierent trom that illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4l but a secondary electrical circuit is connected with the battery or source of energy which has means to keep` the arm reciprocating up and down automatically when it is in signalling position.

It is an important feature that in operating the preferred or alternative const-ruction of the device A that the switches 32, 7 5 and 112 are closed momentarily in dropping the signal giving the parts a chance to be released quickly and allowing the arm l with its connecting parts to draw or push the armature 23 into position so that when electric energy is again sent through the electro-magnet B, the armature will pull or push the arm 1' up out of signalling position. It is understood however, that it is necessary to hold the switches 43, and

112 closed for a longer period of time when it is desired to raise the signal varm out of signalling position to give the coil suiiicient energy and time to raise the signal arm.

It is also an important feature that the Signalling device A is operated by one electro-magnet into either signalling or out of signallingposition and the simplicity of the co-operating parts, makes the device practical. ln'both the preferred and valternative constructions, the springcatch is released and the signal arm 1 dropped into signalling position. The same magnet and co-operating parts drawing the arm back out ot' signalling position, thus by closing the switches d3, 75 or 112, the arm 1 will automatically drop into signalling position and by closing the switches again, the arm 1 will be drawn out or signalling position. The device operates quickly and perfectly.

l/Vhile have illustrated particular forms and construction of parts, I desire to have it understood that l do not wish to confine myseliZ tothe particular construction illus-- trated, but that the invention can be carried vout `by other means and applied to other uses within the scope ot the following claims: v

1. A direction indicator comprising a pivoted signal arm adapted to normally assume a vertical position, a latch 'for holding said signal arm in its normal position, means including a slotted link and a slidable member adapted to release said latch upon movement in one direction, a member secured to said signal device adapted to slide along the slot in said-link by means of which said signal device may be returned to its normal position on moving said slida.-

ble member in the same direction.

2. ln a device of the class described, having a signal arm, a single coil electro-magnet having its armature connected to said arm, means for raising or releasing said arm by said electro-magnet and means for automatically keeping said arm oscillating without raising it out ot horizontal signalling position, substantially as described.

3. ln a device of the class described, having means for electrically raising or releasing a pivoted signal arm by means of one electro-magnetic coil connected to an electrical source or energy and means for sending electric impulses intermittently into said coil to automatically oscillate said arm back and fort-h while in horizontal signalling position, substantially as described.

Joi-rN n. sUMPTER. 

